C-301
Encyclopedia
The C-301 is a large supersonic coastal defense anti-ship missile (AShM) with four solid rocket boosters and two ramjet sustainer engines located aft of the missile body. When the booster motors have accelerated the missile to past Mach 1.8, the kerosene-fueled ramjet engines kick in, accelerating the missile to a cruise speed of greater than Mach 2.0. The maximum range is 180 km, and it can fly below 50 meters at its cruise altitude. The missile is programmed to descent from cruising altitude to a much lower altitude before the active-radar terminal phase begins, then dive onto the target just prior to impact.
Like its smaller cousin C-101
, the C-301 suffers from higher cruise altitude and slower speed when compared to the more potent SS-N-22
, and thus is relatively prone to interception in comparison to the SS-N-22. Due to its similar size to the SS-N-22, the radar cross section is not much smaller than that of the SS-N-22, but due to its lower speed, the infrared signature of C-301 is somewhat lower than that of SS-N-22
to a certain degree. However, C-301 is cheaper to produce than its Russian counterparts. As a result, C-301 only saw very limited service in the People's Liberation Army Navy
as a coastal defense missile, and a stopgap measure in a limited scale production as more capable missiles becoming more widely available. C-301 is also used as a stopgap measure to replace the obsolete C-601 anti-ship missile, the air-launched version of the Silkworm missile
carried on the Xi’an H-6 bomber (with one missile under each wing, like the C-601), until the more potent supersonic anti-ship missiles such as the Russian Kh-41, the air-launched version of the SS-N-22 become widely available.
An improved C-301 version, called C-302 was later developed as an upgrade. C-302 is highly digitized and fully solid state, and the cruising altitude is also decreased further. After entering Chinese service in very limited numbers for evaluation purposes, C-302 did not enter mass production, due to the obvious shortcomings of liquid fuel rocket: the operational cost is high because periodic maintenance is required much more frequently and the safety standard during handling is also higher in comparison to solid rocket powered AShM. The advantage of supersonic speed can be achieved via ramjet
powered AShM. During its very limited service with the Chinese navy for evaluation, C-302 was only known to be land-based, though in theory, it could be deployed by large aerial platforms. However, unlike its smaller cousin C-101
that can be carried by numerous aircraft in the Chinese inventory, the C-301 and its upgrade C-302 can only be carried by Xi’an H-6 due to their large size and weight. It is safe to conclude that as newer missiles entering services in greater numbers, the C-301/302 would eventually reduced to a sole coastal defense missile.
Just like its smaller cousin C-101
, Chinese claim that other type of seekers such as infrared imaging and television seekers have been successfully developed for the missile, but the status is rather uncertain due to the availability of newer anti-ship missiles.
Original developer: CHEMTA (China Sea Eagle Electromechanical Technology Academy, 中国海鹰机电技术研究院, formerly the 3rd Design Academy of the Aerospace Ministry), China Precision Machinery Import-Export Co.
Like its smaller cousin C-101
C-101
The C-101 is a supersonic anti-ship missile that can be launched from air, ship, and shore. Alternatively, the air launched version is also called YJ-1 by Chinese, with YJ short for Ying Ji , meaning Eagle Strike...
, the C-301 suffers from higher cruise altitude and slower speed when compared to the more potent SS-N-22
SS-N-22
SS-N-22 Sunburn is the NATO reporting name for two unrelated Soviet anti-ship missiles. Although the missiles were very different, distinguishing between them is difficult because their ship-mounted launching containers were identical. Confusion was exacerbated by the Soviet practice of mixing...
, and thus is relatively prone to interception in comparison to the SS-N-22. Due to its similar size to the SS-N-22, the radar cross section is not much smaller than that of the SS-N-22, but due to its lower speed, the infrared signature of C-301 is somewhat lower than that of SS-N-22
SS-N-22
SS-N-22 Sunburn is the NATO reporting name for two unrelated Soviet anti-ship missiles. Although the missiles were very different, distinguishing between them is difficult because their ship-mounted launching containers were identical. Confusion was exacerbated by the Soviet practice of mixing...
to a certain degree. However, C-301 is cheaper to produce than its Russian counterparts. As a result, C-301 only saw very limited service in the People's Liberation Army Navy
People's Liberation Army Navy
The People's Liberation Army Navy is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army , the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate role to the PLA Land Forces. Since then, it has undergone rapid modernisation...
as a coastal defense missile, and a stopgap measure in a limited scale production as more capable missiles becoming more widely available. C-301 is also used as a stopgap measure to replace the obsolete C-601 anti-ship missile, the air-launched version of the Silkworm missile
Silkworm missile
The Shang Yo or SY-series , and the Hai Ying or HY-series were early Chinese anti-ship missiles. They were derived from the Soviet P-15 Termit missile.The HY-1 and HY-2 received the NATO reporting name Silkworm...
carried on the Xi’an H-6 bomber (with one missile under each wing, like the C-601), until the more potent supersonic anti-ship missiles such as the Russian Kh-41, the air-launched version of the SS-N-22 become widely available.
An improved C-301 version, called C-302 was later developed as an upgrade. C-302 is highly digitized and fully solid state, and the cruising altitude is also decreased further. After entering Chinese service in very limited numbers for evaluation purposes, C-302 did not enter mass production, due to the obvious shortcomings of liquid fuel rocket: the operational cost is high because periodic maintenance is required much more frequently and the safety standard during handling is also higher in comparison to solid rocket powered AShM. The advantage of supersonic speed can be achieved via ramjet
Ramjet
A ramjet, sometimes referred to as a stovepipe jet, or an athodyd, is a form of airbreathing jet engine using the engine's forward motion to compress incoming air, without a rotary compressor. Ramjets cannot produce thrust at zero airspeed and thus cannot move an aircraft from a standstill...
powered AShM. During its very limited service with the Chinese navy for evaluation, C-302 was only known to be land-based, though in theory, it could be deployed by large aerial platforms. However, unlike its smaller cousin C-101
C-101
The C-101 is a supersonic anti-ship missile that can be launched from air, ship, and shore. Alternatively, the air launched version is also called YJ-1 by Chinese, with YJ short for Ying Ji , meaning Eagle Strike...
that can be carried by numerous aircraft in the Chinese inventory, the C-301 and its upgrade C-302 can only be carried by Xi’an H-6 due to their large size and weight. It is safe to conclude that as newer missiles entering services in greater numbers, the C-301/302 would eventually reduced to a sole coastal defense missile.
Just like its smaller cousin C-101
C-101
The C-101 is a supersonic anti-ship missile that can be launched from air, ship, and shore. Alternatively, the air launched version is also called YJ-1 by Chinese, with YJ short for Ying Ji , meaning Eagle Strike...
, Chinese claim that other type of seekers such as infrared imaging and television seekers have been successfully developed for the missile, but the status is rather uncertain due to the availability of newer anti-ship missiles.
Specifications
- Length: 9.85 m
- Wingspan: 2.24 m
- Weight: 3,400 kg
- Warhead: 500 kg
- Speed: > Mach 2.5
- Range: 180 km
- Guidance: active radar homing seeker (Other types of seekers being developed)
- Propulsion: two side-mounted ramjetRamjetA ramjet, sometimes referred to as a stovepipe jet, or an athodyd, is a form of airbreathing jet engine using the engine's forward motion to compress incoming air, without a rotary compressor. Ramjets cannot produce thrust at zero airspeed and thus cannot move an aircraft from a standstill...
engines at the rear of the airframe with 4 rocket boosters.
Original developer: CHEMTA (China Sea Eagle Electromechanical Technology Academy, 中国海鹰机电技术研究院, formerly the 3rd Design Academy of the Aerospace Ministry), China Precision Machinery Import-Export Co.